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From macro to micro: Why histology is an indispensable part of medicine?
In the vast ocean of medicine, histology is like a beacon, guiding doctors to explore the mysteries of the body. From macroscopic anatomy to microscopic cellular structure, histology plays a key role. With the advancement of science and technology, the application of histology is becoming more and more widespread, especially in pathology, and its importance is self-evident.
Histology is an important branch of biology that focuses on the microstructure of biological tissues and complements macroscopic anatomy.
Classification of biological tissues
In animal tissues, they can be basically divided into four categories:
- Muscle tissue
- Nervous tissue
- Connective tissue
- Epithelial tissue
Plant tissues mainly include epidermal tissue, vascular tissue, basic tissue and meristem tissue.
The importance of medical histology
In clinical medicine, histology is not only a tool that allows doctors to understand the health status of their patients, but also is the key to diagnosing many diseases. One branch of histology, histopathology, focuses on the microscopic identification of diseased tissue, which is particularly important in the diagnosis of cancer.
Accurate diagnosis of histopathology often requires microscopic examination of tissue samples, which is the basis for successful treatment.
Sample preparation process
The preparation procedures for histological samples are complex and delicate, including steps such as fixation, selection and trimming, embedding, and sectioning. These steps ensure the structural and functional integrity of the cells, making observation and analysis possible.
Fixed
The purpose of the fixation step is to maintain the structure of the tissue and avoid deformation of the cell structure. The most commonly used fixative is 10% neutral buffered formalin, and in electron microscopy studies, glutaraldehyde is the main fixative.
Select and trim
During the selection and refinement process, relevant organizations are singled out for further processing. This process ensures sample appropriateness and usability.
Embedding and sectioning
Embedding is the use of a harder medium to support the tissue. The commonly used material is paraffin, especially in the use of optical microscopes. Sections are typically 5-15 microns thick, a precision that allows fine structures to be observed.
The importance of dyeing
Since biological tissue itself does not have high contrast in optical microscopy, staining technology becomes an essential step. Commonly used stains such as Hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E) can effectively display the basic structure of tissues and assist doctors in identifying lesions.
Evolution of expertise
With the advancement of science and technology, many professional technologies have also been introduced. For example, frozen section technology allows researchers to quickly process and examine freshly removed tissue, providing rapid diagnostic information.
Historical background
The development of histology can be traced back to the 17th century. The Italian scholar Malpighi is known as the founder of histology and micropathology. His research laid the foundation for subsequent histological developments.
Future direction
With the advancement of medical technology, scientists are full of expectations for the study of vital histology, which will help doctors non-invasively obtain information about healthy and diseased tissues and provide more Diagnostic basis.
The development of histology will not only make medical diagnosis more precise, but will also change the way of treatment in the future, making us wonder: How will histology shape our understanding of health and disease in the future of medicine?
